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Match Report

Report: Preston North End 1 Blues 1

Michael Morrison’s 67th minute goal earned Blues a point at Deepdale, but it could have been much more.

Adam Reach gave Preston the lead after 19 minutes, but it’ll be Blues who’ll be disappointed after having a host of late chances.

Jordan Pickford made several outstanding saves as Blues pushed the hosts on the back foot for most of the second half.

The first-half started with a bang as Tomasz Kuszczak came rushing out to try and punch Paul Gallagher’s free-kick, but he missed and clattered Tom Clarke.

This caused a break in play that certainly didn’t help a half that was relatively quiet.

Demarai Gray showed great pace to beat Marnick Vermijl down the left, but his cross to Andrew Shinnie from just inside the area was inches behind him.

And Preston went close as Reach kept Gallagher’s corner alive, but Alan Browne’s header at the far post drifted wide.

Gray again showed tremendous speed to beat Daniel Johnson. Jonathan Grounds won the ball and unleashed the winger, who sprinted 40 yards down the left and crossed towards James Vaughan, but it was just cleared.

At a time when Blues were pressing, Preston took the lead.

Reach, who was wide on the right, whipped a low cross that evaded everybody in the area and found the corner.